Simon Mann pardoned over coup plot.

[Connaught Ranger]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20091103...n-ca02f96.html

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Simon Mann pardoned over coup plot.


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Mark John

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Equatorial Guinea has pardoned British mercenary Simon Mann for his role in a failed 2004 coup plot, allowing him to seek medical treatment after serving just over one year of a 34-year sentence. Skip related content
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The pardon by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo comes just weeks before a November 29 poll in which Obiang is expected to seek and win a new mandate to lead sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil producer, which he has governed since 1979.


"The pardon was allowed for by presidential decree and granted on humanitarian grounds," the communication ministry said in a statement released on its website late on Monday, citing Mann's need for medical care and to be with his family.


Mann had "shown sufficient and credible signs of repentance and a desire to take his place in society," it said, adding that the former special forces officer had 24 hours to leave the tiny central African state and was banned from returning.


Obiang, who was due later on Tuesday to host South African President Jacob Zuma for talks, also pardoned Nick du Toit, a South African former soldier jailed for 34 years in the same affair.


Eton-educated Mann was sentenced in July 2008 for conspiring to topple Obiang after being arrested by authorities in Zimbabwe four years earlier along with 70 other mercenaries en route to Equatorial Guinea aboard a plane.


One of the last of the prominent "dogs of war" still active in Africa, Mann portrayed himself during his trial as a pawn of international businessmen he said were trying to seize power.


He named the son of former Prime Margaret Thatcher, as being implicated, an allegation Mark Thatcher has denied.


PRE-ELECTION GESTURE


It was not immediately clear where Mann, who is understood to have family both in Britain and South Africa, would go.


South African-based political analyst Nigel Morgan said authorities in Equatorial Guinea had for been weighing up the pros and cons of holding Mann for some time.


"The guy was hanging out as a security risk so why not get rid of him? (Equatorial Guinea) squeezed every last bit of PR (public relations) out of it," Morgan said.


A foreign diplomat in the country said there had been signs Obiang wanted to make a gesture before the presidential campaign that would show his leadership in a good light to the world.


"It is a gesture that costs the president very little ... But acts of largesse mean less than systematic change," said the diplomat of a 30-year rule by Obiang which has left little room for political opposition or civil society.
Obiang's leadership has drawn criticism for widescale rights abuses and the mismanagement of the vast oil riches accumulated from his country, which produces some 450,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day and is now looking to step up gas exports.


But few doubt the outcome of the November 29 poll. In December 2002 Obiang was re-elected with 97.1 percent of the vote after rivals pulled out complaining of a crackdown on opposition during the run-up to the election.


(Additional reporting by David Lewis and Angus MacSwan; Editing by Giles Elgood)

Connaught Ranger

[3rdMillhouse]

History has told us that one should never grant presidential pardon to those who have atempted to oust your country's in a coup, see Chavez, Hitler and Castro, amongst others.

[Thom]

This bit made me laugh:

Mann had "shown sufficient and credible signs of repentance and a desire to take his place in society," it said, adding that the former special forces officer had 24 hours to leave the tiny central African state and was banned from returning.

Also were not some scumbag MPs implicated in the funding of this I seem to recall?

[Breerman]

Mann has previously pleaded on the grounds of being willing to give up the people who were really behind it.

Hard to raise a moral argument against what they did. The president there is a cruel dictator who in turn seized power in a coup ousting his even crazier uncle.

[SERE]

why does that not suprise me

[Thumpsquid]

Nice to see they've released Hellfish

[Bacilluspolymyxa]

Originally Posted by Thom

This bit made me laugh:



Also were not some scumbag MPs implicated in the funding of this I seem to recall?

A few Tories raised the matter in the House but I don't think they had a lot of backing from the party itself, I believe Mark Thatcher had price on his head when relations between the UK and EG were at an all time low, old Teodoro reckoned Mark Thatcher was the prime mover in the coup but think he is just a greedy stooge.

[Red-Phos]

Im quite suprised he didnt not at least attempt to Escape.

[Bacilluspolymyxa]

I suppose were expected to take this turd into our ever loving bossom.

[theclash]

Originally Posted by Bacilluspolymyxa

I suppose were expected to take this turd into our ever loving bossom.

...and yet he speaks very highly of you.

I think Mark Thatcher was the 'scumbag' implicated. I read he was even refused citizenship by Monaco.

[wilhelm]

Zuma freed us, says mercenary

2009-11-04 09:09


Johannesburg - South African mercenary Nick du Toit, who has been freed from a notorious Equatorial Guinea jail, has given President Jacob Zuma the credit for his and his accomplices' pardon.

"We were told... that we were going to be freed. We were told that Zuma and his government were involved in the negotiations for our release and now today, we are free men," said Du Toit.

The Star newspaper reported on Wednesday that he and his accomplices, Briton Simon Mann and South Africans Sergio Cardoso, Jose Sundays and George Alerson were in the dark about how their release was negotiated.

"We do not know what went on behind the closed doors or for how long they have been negotiating.

"We are just glad that we are going home. This has been a dream of mine for years and I cannot wait to hold and see my family again.

"While we have been preparing ourselves for this, it is still hard to believe that we are actually coming home," said Du Toit, who was jailed in Black Beach for his involvement in a 2004 plot to topple President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

Zuma to visit to Equatorial Guinea

Zuma visited Equatorial Guinea last year and was due to arrive in the country for another visit on Tuesday.

His spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said he was not privy to any discussions that were held between the two statesmen.

"It's possible that the government of Equatorial Guinea had believed it needed to release them on the eve of President Zuma's visit.

"But that was not a condition from our side, to say they must do that on the eve of the visit. We do believe it satisfies the legal provisions of Equatorial Guinea," said Magwenya.

Several reports suggested the men would return to South Africa within 24 hours of their release on Tuesday but it was not clear yet exactly when they were expected to arrive.
- SAPA

http://www.news24.com/Content/SouthA...says_mercenary

[Connaught Ranger]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20091104...y-6323e80.html

Police set to quiz freed mercenary.

11 mins ago


Scotland Yard counter terrorism detectives are preparing to question freed mercenary Simon Mann. Skip related content
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Related Hot Topic: Simon Mann

Officers want to quiz the Old Etonian and ex-SAS soldier over a bungled Equatorial Guinea coup that left him facing a 34-year jail sentence.

He is expected to return home after being freed from prison in the oil-rich West African state after serving just 15 months.


Serious questions remain over the 2004 plot to topple Equatorial Guinea's government and install opposition leader Severo Moto.

The plan collapsed when Mann and a team of up to 70 mercenaries were held on a airport runway in Harare, Zimbabwe, in March 2004.

Mann, 57, claimed during his trial that several other prominent figures helped to organise and finance the plot in London.

He told the court Sir Mark Thatcher, son of former prime minister Baroness Thatcher, was "part of the management team".

Sir Mark was given a suspended sentence in South Africa in relation to funding the operation. He has always denied any knowledge that a coup was being plotted and issued a statement on Tuesday welcoming news of Mann's release.

Lebanese-born London businessman Ely Calil has also been implicated in the plot. He too denies any wrongdoing.

South African arms dealer Nick Du Toit was sentenced to 34 years in prison as a result of the case. Four other men - Mr du Toit, Sergio Cardoso, Jose Domingos and George Alerson were also granted pardons for their part in the plot.

Seems there are a few fleas to be cleansed from this particular "Dog of War".

Connaught Ranger.

[Thom]

Originally Posted by Breerman

Hard to raise a moral argument against what they did. The president there is a cruel dictator who in turn seized power in a coup ousting his even crazier uncle.

Oh I agree, but I don't think we should really be turning a blind eye to mercenaries swooping in and deposing heads of state at whim, no matter how ****ed up the dictator is.

[hidayatnw]

Originally Posted by theclash

...and yet he speaks very highly of you.

I think Mark Thatcher was the 'scumbag' implicated. I read he was even refused citizenship by Monaco.

Did Mark Thatcher ask for asylum in Monaco ?